Victory Nuggets

VICTORY NUGGETS

BATTLES		COMMITMENT	DIVINE CONSTRUCTION
DIVINE DIRECTIONS		FORGIVENESS	GODLY CHARACTER
OBEDIENCE	PATIENCE	PEACE AND ORDER	REFLECTION

BATTLES

Christians do fight. The Lord has prepared us for fighting because He informs us that we are part of warfare, through Him we possess mighty weapons, and our wrestling is not with flesh and blood. Moreover, God fights. He fights for us. Like King David, we too are taught by the Lord how to fight victoriously with our hands and fingers. Yet, it is important that we follow every directive of the Lord when in battle. If He says take no prisoners or leave no stone unturned, that we must do. The Lord is a Man of War. As obedient soldiers, we follow through to assure that this kind (demonic foe) we will never see again. Prior to the battle and while in the thick of it, God informs us of our enemies' designs and shows us how to triumph; therefore, human rational cannot be permitted to interfere with God’s battle plans. Yes, some battles will be intense, longer than others, and even leave us scared, but they ultimately become our testimony of God’s victory in our lives.

Keep in mind that various battles God identifies and speaks to saying; "You're all mine.” As the Lord instructed King Jehoshaphat and all of Judah, we too can benefit from His instructions, "You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord Who is with you", (2 Chronicles 20:1-29). Again, be obedient. Although you are not fighting, you are told in this instance to root yourself in your position, which is your adopted point of view of who God is and what He has already done. Our willful recollections of His acts of love towards us establishes rest, courage, peace, order, joy, faith, hope, trust, patience, prayer, praise, worship, and more. With such a history with God and rooted requisites such as these, we can then stand still. Many folk do not follow this divine sequence. They only focus on the stand still directive, which is successful only after we have taken our godly positions. Thus, many deliverances are delayed because anxiety, fear, doubt, and other agents of darkness are chosen positions rather than the aforementioned. This disorderliness only thwarts the stillness of our stand.

Trust the Captain of the Host, Jesus. Follow in His footsteps and no foe can stand against you in the fray.

COMMITMENT

So often we tell God that we will not allow anything to separate us from His love. But there are always certain trials that come along and tear at the foundation of our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. The severity and intensity of their purpose challenge our belief that nothing is too hard for God and nothing will separate us from Him.

When experiencing turbulent times, take God at His word and take your positions (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). Do not allow the seemingly "craziness" of His directions and the deceptions of the devil to settle doubts within you. Our God has not given you a quitting spirit. It is His will that we all occupy until He comes. Remain productive where the Lord has placed you and see the fruit of your labor that will surpass all that you asked or even imagined. He never tells us to begin anything without bringing us to the end of it. He has promised to continue that good work in us, which He started until the day of Christ's return.

Defy the odds and shame the devil. Endure and persevere in the strength of the Lord. Be tenacious and forbear when necessary. He will provide for us and certainly never leave us. Doubts, fears, and criticisms only work against the knowledge of God. Even counsel from the godly must be approved by the Holy Ghost. If we are not sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit even the sincere advice from the people of God can work against the knowledge of God for us. For sometimes the advice of the saints is sincere, but sincerely wrong for you and I.

Trust God and God alone. He has promised that the end of a thing is so much better than the beginning.

DIVINE CONSTRUCTION

There is a considerable amount of construction and reconstruction taking place in many of our cities. Communities are being developed and redeveloped. Churches, businesses, and agencies are either renovating their facilities or erecting new edifices. As we build concrete structures, we must also acknowledge that such things as marriage, family, friendship, and ministry require building. Moreover, we must understand that proper building of anything only occurs when we invite and allow God alone to build "it.”

We may assume that we know how to create wholesome relationships and helpful services, but without The Builder's approval and blueprint, our efforts are fruitless. No one but God girds us with the essentials that allow us to go through fiery experiences and not be burned and through the great waters of life and not be overwhelmed. Only God builds salubrious relationships and areas of service that are rooted in His every word and established on such firm foundations as love, forgiveness, obedience, truth, integrity, hope, faith, patience, understanding, forbearance, respect, kindness, submission, and commitment.

Astrologists, palm readers, numerologists, crystals, soap operas, spiritual guides, and how to gurus, falsify our future and never give glory to God for our successes or well-being. They subscribe to self-construction, which is a weak and failing foundation. Unlike these contenders, The Master Builder constructs for His glory and assures that what we have done for Him will last. He knows our frame, destiny, purpose, needs, and desires. Thus, when He builds the "it" in our lives more than we ask for or even think of is extended to us.

God can construct holiness and more in our lives. His desire is for us to experience His perfect peace, full joy, holy honor, and agape love, through a relationship with Him. To rest in our knowledge will lead to unhappiness, self-denial, constant damage control strategies, and self-destruction. Avoid working to minimize the damage done to others and self by letting God build the "its" in your life.

DIVINE DIRECTIONS

Throughout scripture, the Lord gives direction for living holy and winning life's battles. Although He is always with those who honor Him, He instructs us on handling our affairs. Those things, which confound us, and people who contend with us are dealt with finality because of the Holy Spirit.

The directions of God will take us to new levels of faith in Him as well as add to our experiences with Him. These experiences give us history with God that no person and demon from hell can take from us. They are our track record of victories in Jesus.

Not only does divine direction afford us elevated faith, history, and victories in Jesus, they work to sanctify us. The Lord calls and commands us to be holy because He is holy. We are reflections of Him in us, children of the Light, and ambassadors of Christ. We must be holy. Following God's personal plan for us will take us to unfamiliar territory and uncomfortable periods just to work out holiness. Indeed, He is purging us and setting us apart to anoint us for specific tasks. In the process, our minds as well as our spirits are being transformed to think like the mind of Jesus Christ. Our spirit is being changed to yield to the voice and move of God's spirit. The Holy Spirit will direct us in what and whom we should attach ourselves to or to detach ourselves from.

As we follow the Spirit of God, we should focus on His strategies. He is a major strategist. In time, we will see that He is always for those who fear and honor Him. His ways of guarding and guiding are unique. Since his ways are unlike our ways, His strategies, and directives appear weird, ridiculous, and stir-crazy. Still, He uses what the world considers foolish to confound its wisdom. Take seriously every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord and do it. Go where He says go, say what he says to say, do what He says do, and watch God work miracles in your life. Watch his promises for believers of the Risen Lord come to fruition. Occupy until He comes. Do not fear the unknown, confrontations that we all must face, the threats of our enemies, nor the accusations of envious people, but rather place your expectation and trust in Jesus who loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation, the Lord our Guide.

FORGIVENESS

As we take inventory of the human condition and the tragedies that are occurring daily in our world, we see that men, women, and children are using many ways to hurt one another. A reality check will cause us to look inward and in truth and honesty attest that we too have offended others. Yes, satan is at work in this madness, but let us focus on those who are affected by the crimes, wrongs, transgressions, and mistakes of others.

Offenses, whether major or minor, can take there toll on the best of us. Only God can preserve our minds, regulate our thoughts, and guard our emotions so that we are not a part of the problem, but part of the resolution, restoration, and reconciliation. The offended one must choose to release the sting of the words spoken and the effect of the negative memories. We are not responsible for the behavior of others, but we are accountable and responsible for our choices. To hold on to unforgiveness is not liberating at all. Rather it reveals that we have not turned everything over to God and that we prefer giving the offense and offender power over us. We unintentionally make them and our pain gods.

When we operate in an unforgiving mode, we distance ourselves from the Lord and create opportunities for satan to work additional madness in our lives, homes, relationships, finances, ministries, etc. Indeed emotional and mental agonies are the effects of being offended, but Jesus is above any offense. Since He lives in each of us who believed and received Him, we too can say His words and mean them, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Moreover, we must forgive as Christ has forgiven and continues to forgive us.

Forgiving someone who has repented (Luke 17:3-4) is good, but forgiving the indignant, self-absorbed person is even better. Herein we take authority over demonic forces and accept our freedom, healing, and deliverance. Counteract contempt, defensiveness, rejection, spite, separatism, silent treatment, revenge, escapism, self-righteousness, criticism, sarcasm, hostility, bitterness, despondency, stubbornness, pride, illusion, belligerence, insecurity, and other agents of evil that work to place and keep us in darkness. Demonstrate God's love and reflect His light by putting His words into action. None of these powers can withstand the weapons of God's love and light.

So you say that you cannot forgive. Yes, you can. God says that what is impossible with us is possible with Him and there is nothing too hard for Him. Walk in the liberty that Christ Jesus has set you free. Do not allow what someone has done to you to hinder you from imitating God. We will get angry, but we are warned not to sin and not to go into another day with the offense controlling us. (Ephesians 4:4-5). Know that with Christ guiding your heart and mind, you can forgive, let "it" go, and release "that" which was intended to imprison us. Forgive today and always.

GODLY CHARACTER

Who are we when we think that no one is looking? Why are some individuals living between two worlds and working hard at not having them meet or integrate? Will our clandestine activities be exposed to our loved ones and fellow believers? Will an unkind world conclude that our comeuppance are a result of our misbehavior? Why are ungodly behaviors embraced and tolerated? These and other questions express a very real need for people to witness behaviors different from what is commonly seen.

Each of us needs to continually witness the presence and power of God in our public worlds. As we continually experience spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical transformation, those around us see the proper response to trials, tribulations, sufferings, afflictions, and even blessings. Through our godly change, we become useable vessels for the Lord. We are ready to show the world victories that come as a result of adhering to Christ's plan for us, in spite of disruption, distortion, discouragement, and dissension in life.

Our families need to witness the character of God in us while we face oppression, confusion, opposition, deception, manipulation, and other vices. The church needs to see representatives of God who are faithful to what He has called us to do; not quitters. For in each victory attributes of our Heavenly Father are revealed. In private, He erects understanding, wisdom, perseverance, resolution, determination, persistence, peace, order, joy, love, and more. As He builds character, what we do with Him privately is made public and both worlds resemble.

The world must see godly character that is birthed out of experiences with God. There is a correct way to live and a wise response to life. As we make the most of every opportunity, godly character will lead others to a better understanding of who God is.

OBEDIENCE

So many people desire the attitude of Christ, but resist an essential prerequisite; obedience. This godly trait has received negative press because people and demonic forces like to move in their own flow rather than the flow of God. We like to think that we are blessed because God is just that good. Indeed, he is good, and He does not have to bless us. His sunshine and rain benefit both the just and unjust. Yet, God honors those who honor Him with an obedience blessing. Through it He proves to be a promise keeper.

This kind of blessing shows God's favor and approval towards our response to His word. He therefore, pours out blessings that there is not room enough to receive because we have humbled ourselves before His mighty hand, yielded to His authority, praised Him in good and bad times, thanked Him for all things, hid His word in our hearts, and rejected unrighteousness.

I know that it is difficult to pursue righteousness in an unholy land, but take God at His word. He will blow the minds of naysayers and Doubting Thomas' because they do not see anything good coming to us for our faithfulness; after all our faithfulness is foolishness to them. We will even be blown away because we get from God more than we asked and imagined. So, stand, stay, speak, be quiet, reprove, endure, praise, worship, bind, lose, bless, pray, witness, proclaim, persevere, and occupy. Do whatever the Holy Spirit says. The rewards for your obedience here on earth and in heaven will be totally awesome.

PATIENCE

The Lord says that for everything there is a season or time. What season are you facing? What time are you anticipating to come or end? Has the spirit of impatience convinced you to find an alternative to the promises of God because what you have named and claimed in Jesus' name has not come to pass? The Lord our God, perfectly exemplified patience in his life. He consistently showed us the value and fruitful outcome of waiting patiently on our Holy Father. He did not allow satan and people to provoke or push him to do the works of the Father until the proper season. He did not relinquish the tasks set before him, by the Father, when his enemies attempted to pressure and provoke him to do so.

God wants us to be patient for in it we shall win the true life of our souls, (Luke 21:19). Our enemy however wants us to react with impatience to set our own course or follow the directives of another. Following the report or directive of anyone other than Christ will take us out of the will of God. The Lord will rebuke impatient thoughts and acts saying that, "If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if you take to flight in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5).

Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Satan is a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in Him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and of all that is false, (John 8:44). To experience and win true life, abundant life we must be patient in Christ Jesus. We have got to rest in Him. Do not be misled by reports that falsify the report of the Lord, for the father of such reports is also a thief and destroyer. He has come to steal kill and destroy. His job is to take away innocence, joy, peace, love, unity, and power. He specializes in killing what God has ordained; marriage, family, ministry, community and more. It is and has always been his mission to take the life out of what God has put His hand on. He is the destroyer. He sends the spirit of impatience our way so that we help him move in and steal, kill and destroy that which the Lord has given unto us, but God is our Healer, Restorer of the breach and the Master Builder. He restores what the enemy took from us, heals as well as resurrects what the enemy thought that he killed and yes, builds what the enemy assumed was destroyed and brought to finality.

Our God is patient and will even allow seasons for the enemy to run havoc in Christians lives. However, in His time, the Spirit of God will move in to uproot and establish what He wants. Not by might nor power, but by His Spirit he will do it. It is the Spirit of God who must give us the patience of God to endure tribulation, for endurance leads to experience, and experience leads to victory. Bind the patience of Christ to you and loose the impatient spirit that intends to work defeat and devastation in your life. God who is greater and mightier than all else will not allow you to be snatched out of His hand. He alone will bring you into your time of promise when you wait patiently on His doings.

PEACE AND ORDER

There are so many things that set themselves up to be red herrings in our lives. Giving full attention to them rather than the voice and promises of God only assure us of chaos. Such distractions have the potential to take us over the edge and keep us from enduring necessary trials and pursuing godliness. But God, Who is our peace and order, has equipped His chosen people to triumph in all of life's circumstances by way of peace and order.

His peace is perfect and surpasses all understanding. And although his order is unlike our way of doing anything, it is sure and excellent. As we are guarded by the peace and order of God, our minds are kept, faith strengthened, character developed, and much more. These godly traits prevent us from being a part of everything and everything being a part of us. Little wonder why anxiety, fear, torment, escapism, denial, lunacy, withdrawal, issues and other agents of darkness flee when we attack them with these weapons.

Now let this word be a turning point in your life. Choose today to allow the power of God's peace and order to prevail over that which is designed to predominate you. Destroy the confusion in and around you today by taking God at His word, "For He (Who is the source of their prophesying) is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order...”, I Cor. 14:33.

REFLECTION

In the field of education, there are teaching techniques that fall under the term "metacognition.” One of its attributes is reflection. Through this process, students are strongly encouraged to think about their thinking. Christ too wants his disciples to think about their thinking, for He says that as we think in our hearts so are we. When we reflect on our thinking and focus on the question that God asks, we start to see Him differently. It is an intention of the Lord for his people to see Him for Who He is and will always be. Reflection as well as divine focus shows us the worth and purpose of ourselves, the world, satanic forces and circumstances.

Another strategy in education, called "wait time,” requires that every student have a reasonable amount of time to respond to a given question or statement. The teacher provides at least five seconds of thinking time after a question and after a response. The purpose of this strategy is to extend the thinking of the student. Like some of our earthly teachers, the Holy Spirit wants to extend our thinking. He teaches children of the Light and gives us appropriate times of response. Time is permitted to hear process, reflect upon, and apply what He says. Yes, He gives us opportunities to walk obediently to His excellent standards. To delay and/or discard our proper response to Him is disobedience to Him.

God's people are called to be like Him, holy, (1 Peter 1:15-16). We are commanded to be imitators of Him, (Ephesians 5:1). Thus, to example Christ we must have the mind of Christ. We must be reflective and responsive people. If we do not think about our thinking and righteously respond within the time frame God allots, then we are sure to reap unrighteousness in our lives. The flip side to the former consequence is a harvest of blessings. We shall reap righteous blessings that will only be attributed to Lord of the Harvest, Jesus Christ. We must know that the Lord is speaking to us. He is questioning us. We cannot ignore or deny His presence. We must ask the Holy Spirit to guide and guard our thinking so that we make wise and godly choices. Then we must be ever ready to respond to the Anointed One with a willing and submissive heart.

Do not take lightly God's strategies to transform and extend your thinking, for in his classroom we are equipped by Him to conquer, change, confront, convince, and convey. Think about your thinking now. Respond in a timely manner to what the Lord has said to you and watch the Holy Spirit do a new thing in you.